Gangsta Nuh Play

Picture the scene. Mavado, current ruling overlord of Jamaican Dancehall, he of the speaker rattling, mournful baritone, he of the bleak tales of gun mans woe, lies dead in the street. Suddenly, with the horrible speed of a spiders scuttle, Lucifers chittering, gleeful hell children rise up, grasp the decomposing body and drag Mavados cankered soul down down down (think of the bit where Willy Lopez gets his in Ghost if it helps). As they pull him deeper into the circles of the pit a slow hand clap applaudes the man, Hells own organ starts an ominous chord and Mavado has nothing to do but to deliver his final performance to Satans orchestra. His lyrics scale a crescendo and the orchestra come crashing in, rave stabs made from blasted hope and basslines that stink of sulphur.

Fortunately someone from Erba records was on hand to get all of this down on track and release it as a 12. Its maleficent. Oh, and theres a jovial Afrikan Boy sampling funky track on the flip. A great record, which, superbly, isnt available in digital format.

Ian Mcquaid

• Listen Here